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(MSc) Biodiversity & Land-Use Planning via blended learning

College of Science
School of Natural Sciences

Course overview

This 24-month course aims to provide participants with crucial skills, knowledge and experience that are needed to pursue successful careers in managing biodiversity resources sustainably while complying with international legislation.

Programme Objectives:

a. To integrate an international perspective to reflect new research findings and current practice in biodiversity and land use planning that can be applied within Ireland and elsewhere.

b. To provide research-led learning opportunities that will develop skills in identifying solutions for real world nature conservation and land use planning conflicts.

c. To develop expertise within local authority, competent authority and public / private sector staff to meet international obligations relating to biodiversity and conservation.

Key facts

Entry requirements

The programme is open to individuals who have obtained a Level 8 primary degree or its equivalent in an appropriate discipline. Students who do not have an academic background but have relevant experience may also apply.

Course outline

This part-time course extends over 24 months and runs in two year cycles continuously from September through to August of the second year. Participants are required to take the modules listed below. The modular course is devoted to formal scientific and policy coursework delivered in a blended learning format over two years, comprising a mixture of face-to-face contact (approximately 12–15 hours per module) in addition to private study combined with e-tutorial on-line support. Students are expected to carry out both individual and group projects and to prepare written reports and oral presentations on relevant subjects.

Find out more

Career opportunities

Our obligations to protect the environment under EU legislation means that this course will play a pivotal role for those currently working in or who wish to enter the planning or engineering professions within local government or as private consultants. Graduates of this course will ensure that governments, local authorities and private consultancies will help implement sustainable policies that contribute to economic recovery while managing limited biodiversity resources.

PAC code

Fees for this course

Industry profile

Martina Moloney

County Manager, Galway County Council

"Galway County Council has worked with NUI Galway on the development of this part-time MSc Programme. It is designed to meet an identified training need. Through a blend of applied learning approaches, it will enhance the skills of existing Local Authority staff and help ensure compliance with the requirements of the Habitats Directive in a professional and cost effective manner. It will assist with meeting legal obligations such as Strategic Environmental Assessment, Scoping and Appropriate Assessments."

Testimonials

Ronan Hennessy

Executive Planner, Dublin City Council

"Having completed the course I am now confident in undertaking a rigorous examination of the environmental and ecological aspects of development proposals and am familiar with the legislative requirements for the protection of biodiversity and the wider environment. I would recommend this course to anyone with an interest in sustainable development and the planning process and consider it to be a valuable and key resource in my professional work."

Oonagh Duggan

Policy Officer, Birdwatch Ireland

"I did the MSc Biodiverisity and Land Use Planning at NUIG in 2011-3013. I had been looking for a course which was based on solid teaching in ecology but which also offered practical training in the various assessment tools (EIA, AA, SEA) and the MSc BLUP met these criteria and more. The course of study, assessment and examination is rigorous and requires commitment but the course content is so interesting, the field trips are great and the interaction with other class participants make for a very rewarding learning experience. I found the quality of teaching, the variety of assessment methods and the course organisation to be of a very high standard. This course gave me the foundation in environmental science that I needed to further my career in the environmental field."